2021 Topps Major League Materials

[julycoaron]

I just purchased a card for my grandson of his favorite player. It is a 2021 Topps Major League Materials card with a piece of fabric embedded in the card. On the front, it says "Game Used Memorabilia." On the back, it says "CONGRATULATIONS! You have received a MAJOR LEAGUE MATERIALS card from 2021 Topps Baseball Update Series." Underneath, it says "The Memorabilia Contained In This Card Is Not From Any Specific Game, Event, or Season."

My question is: Was this piece of memorabilia actually worn by the player depicted??? It doesn't say so anywhere on the card. If I recall correctly, Relic Cards used to specifically say the jersey or the bat was used by "Player X" in a major league game. I'm a former attorney and I understand how important language is. The fact that they do not say that the material was actually worn by the player depicted is a huge red flag to me. Can someone set my mind at ease?

Thanks.

 

[metsman1986]

It's player worn, just not specifically tied to any season, game, etc...........Usually the pieces are from the last few years.........

 

[julycoaron]

Thanks for the reply, but how do you KNOW that it was worn by that particular player? What language on the card says so? In other words, if the material is from a jersey worn by, say, Mario Mendoza, wouldn't all of the representations on the card still be accurate?

 

[tglg]

Yes, and for some, they aren't game used relics. They say something like a relic, and for the NFL, I have seen videos of the players at events like signings, and they are wearing like 6 jerseys at a time and cycle through them. Then they are event worn. It is very vague any more, and thus, it keeps costs down. They don't have to actually pony up the money for gamers.

 

[julycoaron]

Yes, and for some, they aren't game used relics. They say something like a relic, and for the NFL, I have seen videos of the players at events like signings, and they are wearing like 6 jerseys at a time and cycle through them. Then they are event worn. It is very vague any more, and thus, it keeps costs down. They don't have to actually pony up the money for gamers.

Thanks for replying. But it didn't answer my question. Can I safely tell my grandson that his favorite player actually wore the item from which this swatch was cut? And if so, what language on the card says that specifically?

 

[tglg]

Thanks for replying. But it didn't answer my question. Can I safely tell my grandson that his favorite player actually wore the item from which this swatch was cut? And if so, what language on the card says that specifically?

No, I don't think you can say that 100% confidence. They have gotten very vague about the language that they use, and mistakes happen. I for one would like to think it was actually worn by said player (and maybe just during a photo shoot or workout or something, not game used), but even then, mistakes happen by the people putting the cards together.

 

[julycoaron]

No, I don't think you can say that 100% confidence. They have gotten very vague about the language that they use, and mistakes happen. I for one would like to think it was actually worn by said player (and maybe just during a photo shoot or workout or something, not game used), but even then, mistakes happen by the people putting the cards together.

Why would anyone pay money for something that could have been worn by anyone at anytime?

 

[GotMelky]

Why do people pay thousands of dollars for pictures of men and women on cardboard?

 

[2000Doubles]

I just think of Game Used/Relic cards as insert card with a piece of the game on them. They are not from anything important, just another type of insert that the value will still depend on the persons name on it and set that it comes from.
If you want game used memorabilia, best to get an authenticated jersey/bat/etc.

 

[julycoaron]

I just think of Game Used/Relic cards as insert card with a piece of the game on them. They are not from anything important, just another type of insert that the value will still depend on the persons name on it and set that it comes from.
If you want game used memorabilia, best to get an authenticated jersey/bat/etc.

So, you don't believe that the piece of material came from a piece of clothing worn by the player pictured on the card?

 

[julycoaron]

Why do people pay thousands of dollars for pictures of men and women on cardboard?

GotMelky - Scarcity, affinity for a particular player, nostalgia, investment. All sorts of reasons.

 

[GotMelky]

GotMelky - Scarcity, affinity for a particular player, nostalgia, investment. All sorts of reasons.

You were asking why a memorabilia card with a piece of possibly game worn material might be worth anything - the reasons you presented would also apply here.

FWIW - If you want more of a guarantee that the item was game worn, there are Topps Now cards which feature that. I would also say the older jersey cards tend more towards the authentic.

 

[2000Doubles]

So, you don't believe that the piece of material came from a piece of clothing worn by the player pictured on the card?

Its not like this is a regulated part of the industry, it could be as was mentioned earlier one of several jersey's wore at an event, to just a misprint jersey found in the clubhouse. The fact that most of these cards can be picked up starting at $0.50 has shown the free market has come to the same realization that they could be from anywhere.

 

[julycoaron]

I was wondering whether the change in the language of the Topps "guarantee" has been discussed by anyone and whether Topps has addressed this issue?